This international break and the week or so preceding it have been nothing short of disastrous thus far: injury to Lionel Messi and the subsequent withdrawals of Enzo Pérez, Marcos Rojo and Éver Banega cut Gerardo Martino’s initial squad, the shambolic defeat to Ecuador was confounded by Sergio Agüero limping off, and Tata has now had to deal with a knock to Lucas Biglia and Ezequiel Garay travelling to the United States to be present at the birth of his child. Several forced changes and perhaps some tactical switches will see a much-changed Argentina travel to Asunción for what is already being billed as a must-win match despite being only the second World Cup qualifying match.
A defiant Gerardo Martino spoke to the press earlier in preparation for Tuesday evening’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. The result against Ecuador and the manner of defeat has put the former Barcelona manager under the microscope and the 52-year-old is well aware of the criticism that he and has side received in light of Thursday night’s debacle but he remains adamant that his style will yield results.
“We got criticized by the media when we played well… Imagine now. The (Paraguay) match is very important and we go to win it, but to change our style of play would not be useful. The idea is not negotiable. There is an idea that we have been trying to carry out since the first day.
“Against Ecuador the team had a bad night, but it would be very drastic that I now ask the players after a year and a month of work to change their way of working. It would not be serious on my part but it is clear that there are things that need to be corrected.”
No one could argue with this last point after watching Argentina only manage to open up one half-chance in 90 minutes at home to Ecuador and that opportunity falling to Javier Mascherano. This blunted attack coupled with a serious defensive fragility down the flanks was clear for all to see and Martino must not only address this but also deal with the enforced withdrawals of Sergio Agüero and Lucas Biglia through injury and Ezequiel Garay, after the defender was required to travel to the United States to be present at the birth of his child.
Martino has maintained that the absence of so many players is not an excuse for the side that he selects on Tuesday: “The amount of players missing isn’t an excuse for us. The team which will step onto the pitch tomorrow will be up to the task.”
The under-fire coach kept his cards close to his chest and told reporters that “The team (starting XI) will only be confirmed tomorrow,” but the Argentine media have suggested that Everton’s Ramiro Funes Mori will replace Garay in the centre of defence, Pablo Zabaleta will come in for Facundo Roncaglia at right-back and talented youngster, Matías Kranevitter will get another chance to shine alongside Javier Mascherano at the heart of midfield.
Manchester City defender, Zabaleta should prove a far better option than Roncaglia on the right but Martino must protect Emmanuel Más on the opposite flank far better than he did on Thursday. Paraguay do not possess the kind of quality width that Ecuador do, but there is no doubt that Ramón Díaz will have watched that game and seen a glaring weakness with La Albiceleste.
Javier Mascherano spoke in glowing terms of his potential heir, Matías Kranevitter this week and it appears that the two will play together in midfield in the absence of Lucas Biglia. Kranevitter is used to playing this type of ‘double five’ role after playing a vital role in River Plate’s Libertadores triumph alongside Leonardo Ponzio but may rely on Martino be a little more flexible with his usual 4-3-3 system. If Martino still opts for his formation, the third midfielder, whether it be Javier Pastore, Ángel Di María or Ezequiel Lavezzi will have a huge task in linking the play with the attack. Sabella favoured Di María in this midfield three but in a side built far more to counter rather than the possession based football that Martino has produced.
Carlos Tevez will remain as the central point of the attack after replacing Sergio Agüero and much of the goal scoring burden will fall on the Boca Juniors striker despite hugely underwhelming record in an Argentina shirt. El jugador del Pueblo admitted in the press conference at the weekend that he “feels more comfortable as a second striker” but Martino will require him to lead the line on Tuesday.
Whichever eleven is selected by Martino, there is little room for error. Ahead of November’s tricky double-header against Colombia and Brazil, Argentina need a win and no amount of injuries or bad luck will spare Martino if those matches come around and La Albiceleste are without a point.
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